Male Fertility Demystified: Key Factors and When to Seek Testing
About half of infertility cases involve male factors. Dr. Sanjay Prakash J explains how lifestyle (stress, poor sleep, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol, drugs, steroids), medical conditions (varicocele, diabetes, thyroid disorders, infections, chemotherapy/radiation), and genetics can impair sperm production. For couples not conceiving after a year of unprotected intercourse (or men over 35), evaluation is advised, with early diagnosis aiding family planning and genetic counselling. Premarital fertility checks are also encouraged as part of proactive health planning.